'97 Corolla Starter problem?

[daren]

I started my car a few days ago. It started as usual, but when it was running, it was making a weird noise. I thought it was something that would disappear when the car had time to warm up/drive around. This was coming back from a friend's home, so when I parked my car, the odd sound problem's source was soon discovered when I turned off my car. The engine started turning over and wouldn't stop, even if my keys were completely out. Although it would turn, the car would not be fully on unless I put the keys in and started the car like normal. So eventually, the car started smoking and the turning became slower and slower until it stopped. I'm guessing this happened since it drained my battery (can anyone confirm this?)

My main question/s is, if it's the starter's problem. I was suggested to change it when I had an oil check, but I had a few other repairs done, so I couldn't afford it at the time. They told me it would eventually go out, which I also attribute to the constant clicking my car would make in unison with me turning my keys.

The second question is if it is the starter, does the smoking of the car affect anything else? If it isn't the starter, what else could it be?

Thanks for reading this and even more thanks if you can answer any of these questions.

[CraigW]

Well you had a warning ( the clicking that has been occuring) and now the plunger has stuck closed. It could have been the starter that was smoking (it is not made to crank except for a few seconds) if it was the starter smoking you are lucky and should be o.k.

The other thing that could happen is to have damaged the flywheel. You will just have to hope for the best.

Dont buy a cheap starter ( I think all re-mans are junk ) Get a good quality unit.

[ganda1f]

Smoke might also come from wires supplying power to the starter. Check these also to make sure none of them is burnt, has broken insulation etc. Your starter will most likely be dead by now, but you might also have damaged something in the electrical installation. The installation is not supposed to handle such large current for such a long time.

As for the starter I would recommend buying original Toyota part, the whole thing basically, including the switch-box etc. Once you get it you could try installing it yourself. There are quite few descriptions concerning rebuilding contacts (the click problem) where you should be able to find detailed info on how to remove the starter unit (should be just 2 cables and 2 bolts, somewhat hard to get at though).

Check the "How to replace starter contacts" thread in HardCore tech/competition
http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/t19221.html

If replacing the starter doesn't help you'll probably have to check your elctrical installation.

Good luck, hope you won't need to spend a fortune on all that.

[1jzdreamer]

Sounds like the starter solonid stuck in the on position and the starter kept cranking till the battery was dead. I would either go to an autowrecker and buy a used unit as they aren't common to fail and this will be the cheapest alternative, or get a new unit (bosch or denso make good rebuilt starters, from a auto parts outlet). if the solonid stuck while you were driving, you probably over spun the starter and cooked the brushes and the bearings, and that would be why it was smoking. While you were driving air was going by it and the smoke wasn't obvious.
The insulation on the wiring may have melted at the starter so when you remove the starter, it should be obvious. I wouldn't think this happened but you never know. Id get another starter and deal with it on a case by case basis. Replace the starter and if the wiring is fine, then your good to go. Swapping the starter shouldn't be more then a 2 hr job. I have done mine in 30 min before.
I wouldn't worry about the flywheel/flex plate unless the starter wasn't engaged while you were driving, and tried engaging while you were driving. Then when you pull the starter, look in the hole (where the starter pulled out from) and using a flashlight, inspect the teeth on the flywheel/flex plate. If they are ground up horribly with teeth broken then you probably will want to consider replacing it, but I doubt you will find much wrong.